I've never had a garage sale, but we're needing to get rid of a bunch of stuff around here. Especially baby stuff.... How much do you ask for things is their an average percentage I could go by? My dh said things probably sell for around 10% of what they cost new. We have a few big things to sell too like dressers, a 50 gal aquarium and stand, coffee and end tables. I have no idea what to sell these for? Any suggestions?
I was just yard sale-ing yesterday. Here's the prices I saw- Ladies 2x tshirts from Gitano, Blair and Roaman's- 50 cents each Ladies jeans, 2.00 each Stuffed animals were 50 cents each at one yard sale, while another yard sale gave Jeannie a kitchen trash bag full of stuffed animals for 1.00. Books were 25 cents each, with larger ones going for 1.00. A 1.00 book would have to be pristine for someone to buy it. Baby clothes were 50 cents. A playpen was 7.00 Knick-knacks were 25 cents to 2.00. CDs were 1.00 Videos were 1.00 I've seen 'fill a bag' deals at yard sales, too. Fill a bag with books, fill a bag with clothes, fill a lunch bag with those Happy Meal toys. Bags are usually plastic grocery bags. I've seen up to 5.00 charged for a bag of clothes. Remember that people want a good deal at a yard sale, they don't want to pay alot. I've seen yard sales where the people tried to get back most of what they spent on their things brand new, and it just doesn't fly. One yard sale I went to wanted 5.00 for a TY beanie baby, while the one next door wanted 3/2.00 for beanie babies. Guess where we shopped? I go to this little second hand store near my house, and here's how they charge- Dresses 3.00 Shirts 2.00 Jeans 4.00 coats 15-20.00 shoes 2.00 shorts 2.00 baby clothes, most are 2.00 Larger things, like snowsuits, are more. Videos are 1.00 and 2.00 Books are 25 cents to 2.00, and are also b1g1 free CDs are 3.00 DVDS are 3.00 Household goods are priced anywhere from .25- 15.00, depending on what it is. 15.00 will get you something like a complete set of dishes with all completer pieces. .25 will get you something like a tupperware storage dish. This store also does a 'fill a bag' sale at the end of the seasons. They really let you stuff them full, and two or more people can fill the bag together, to cut down the overall price. The money they take in goes to help people with their utility bills or groceries.
you should start by going to a few garage sales in your area, because that will give you a good idea. some areas get to sell things for more.
About the furniture- most yard sales I've seen ask about 10.00 for things like coffee tables, etc. We sold a dining room table and 5 chairs for our neighbor once, a really heavy, nice set. We were able to get her 50.00, even though she told us to try for 40.00. we once sold twin mattress and boxspring sets, brand new and still in plastic, for 100.00 each.
Thanks Becky that helps me get an idea of prices. I think I need to start hitting up garage sales myself. I could use some more clothes for me. Its funny my kids have too much and I have next to nothing!
I have to agree with Becky, don't put the cost up if you want to get rid of it. It wouldn't go. People want a deal, remember they come and want to walk away spending very little and getting a whole lot. What you can't get rid of take to good will and they will give you a slip to write off for Taxes next year.
I've had sales in 4 different states. Prices were all over the place depending on the area. I would suggest visiting a few in your area to get a feel for what the market will support....you don't want to go to all the trouble then have a bunch left over.
for the aquarium, We sold one without the stand for $40.00 - I would ask $50.00 with it. the dressers - if they are old and sturdy, about $50.00.(antique dealers or others will repaint and put glass knobs on them and get $200.00) We tend to ask about $5.00 more for expensive stuff and then take that 5.00 less to make people feel like they got a better deal than they expected. This is one of our side jobs - not trying to be dishonest, but it makes people feel good to get a good deal.
For us, it just depends. Look at the quality- if it is in nicer shape, you can charge more. if you are just wanting it gone, charge less!
The previous posters' suggestion on checking out other garage sales in your area is a good idea. In my city it depends on what neighborhoods you go to. Also, what shape the clothing is in and whether or not the clothes are brand name make a difference in price. Most garage sales I go to the infant and children's clothes range between 25 cents and $2. I might head out to a couple of rummage sales today, so I'll let you know when I get back. If my sister and have combined rummage sale this year, I'm planning on pricing most of my children's clothes 25 to 50 cents, so I can get rid of those. There are some clothing sets that were hardly worn that I might mark up as high as a dollar or two. I hope that helps in some way.
In my esperience, clothes go very slowly, so I price them lower. The bigger toys--like climb on things seem to go pretty quickly, even when they are higher. I usually clean things up to look nicer, it helps! The dirtier and older something looks the less people will want to pay! There are "professional yard salers" out there. They're out to get a bargain, and they'll offer 50 cents for something you have marked at $5. I've had people hound me trying to get me to lower the price. So decide beforehand the very least you'll take, then go slowly down with the pros. Hopefully they'll feel they've got a bargain when they leave, and you'll feel like you got enough to make it worth the time of setting it out. I also agree with what some others said. Are you doing this to make money or to get rid of things? The lower your prices the more likely they'll go! Also, the last 20 or 30 minutes you can have grab bags. Let people stuff clothes or small toys or books in a bag for $3 or something. Make sure you have lots of change to begin with--$1's and $5's and quarters are especially good. I've had people come to our sale, it being the first one they went to that day, and right as we start, and hand me a $100 bill and want change. You never know! Also have bags available for people to put things in, and if you have any fragile items, have some kind of paper or something to wrap those things up.
Deena's right about cleaning your things up. I was at a yard sale this past weekend where every single shirt was stained! Also, listen to her about the grab bags- especially for kids! Jeannie likes the surprise factor of a grab bag!
I had a Garage Sale with 3 other people this last weekend. My objective was to get rid of things. I priced things low. Toddler clothes - $.25 for short sleeve shirts & shorts. $.50 for long sleeve shirts and pants. Dresses and Jumpers with shirts, between $1.00 and $3.00, depending on how they were worn. I made sure the clothes were clean. I also put tablecloths on the table. All dishes were washed and other items were clean. The majority of the items were mine and we had cool weather with rain. We also had it a the friends house that more people would come to. I made $450 and we still have enough left for another sale. I think because of the rain, we didn't do very well. We will wait until later in the summer and try again. My 2 cents, make sure things are clean, well labeled, cheap (after all you just want to clean out and get rid of the stuff) and displayed properly. Yes, it is a lot of work, but a lot of fun, too. People are very interesting Happy garage sailing!!!
